Sony Centre For The Performing Arts Begins 50th Anniversary Season, 10/1

Dan Brambilla, CEO of the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, proudly announced details of the 2010-2011 season today. Following two years of renovations and restorations the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts will re-open its doors on Friday, October 1, 2010, exactly fifty years to the date of the first opening night performance, October 1, 1960.

"As we embark on our 50th Anniversary Season, the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts is poised to play a central role in the cultural experience of Torontonians. Our 2010-2011 season reflects the face of Toronto in the 21st century which is wonderfully different from when the theatre first opened in 1960. Today's Toronto is the only city of its kind in the world - home to hundreds of different cultures and spoken languages. Our unique brand therefore is to be Toronto's theatre for the people - all people -
and our programming is chosen with a view to entertain every segment of the city's diverse population," said Brambilla. "Our season is a compendium of the international stars of dance, theatre, music and popular culture that resonate with audiences today."

The 50th Anniversary Season opens with iD, running from October 1 to 9, a spectacle that weaves together hip hop, breakdance, BMX bikes and ten circus disciplines including tumblers, acrobats, jugglers and contortionists, to create a breathtaking explosion of exhilarating music, dance and video. iD is co-created by Jeannot Painchaud, founder and artistic director of Montreal's acclaimed Cirque Éloize, and hip-hop choreographer Mourad Merzouki.

As previously announced, Robert Lepage's Eonnagata, created and performed by Robert Lepage, internationally acclaimed French dancer Sylvie Guillem and award-winning British choreographer Russell Maliphant, makes its Toronto premiere on November 18 and 19. This remarkable production from London's Sadler's Wells first premiered in 2009 and has since toured France, Spain and Germany. Eonnagata melds dance and theatre to probe the mystery of gender and human nature.

The spectacular season continues with The Merchants of Bollywood, a theatrical song and dance extravaganza featuring a cast of 40 performers from the Film City of Mumbai, 3,800 lavish costumes and 2,000 pieces of jewellery worth in excess of one million dollars. Running November 4 to 14, The Merchants of Bollywood showcases all the glitz, glamour, song, dance and romance that defines "Bollywood".

Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY combines state-of-the-art videos and art stills from SQUARE ENIX's world-renowned Final Fantasy video game series with an exhilarating live performance by the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony of the award-winning music by Japanese video game composer Nobuo Uematsu. This Sony Centre concert on November 27 will feature a special meet and greet with Uematsu, and new music titles from the video game.

The Sony Centre continues its holiday tradition with Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, offering a magical event for the entire family to enjoy from December 17 to January 2. The classic holiday tale comes to life on stage, featuring the hit songs "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas" from the original animated television production. The Grinch discovers there's more to Christmas then he bargained for in this heartwarming holiday musical. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss' original illustrations transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville. This critically-acclaimed production was originally created by 3-time Tony Award®winning director Jack O'Brien and has played in Los Angeles and Chicago. Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical has broken box office attendance records for two consecutive years on Broadway during its limited holiday engagements at the ST. James (2007) and Hilton (2006) theaters in New York City.

In their first Toronto appearance since 1989, the iconic Mariinksy (formerly the Kirov) Ballet returns to the Sony Centre on March 1 to 6 to perform their signature ballet, Swan Lake: the most popular ballet ever created. Celebrated for their impeccable style and flawless technique, the Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet under artistic director Valery Gergiev shines in a unique production of this beautiful and beloved story. Swan Lake, set to Tchaikovsky's classic score played by a live orchestra, is brought vividly to life by the exceptional artistry of a company renowned - since 1783 - for classical purity and grace.

Breakin' Convention, the critically acclaimed International Festival of Hip Hop Dance Theatre, has become a major happening in the hip hop dance calendar since it first began in 2004 at London's most prestigious dance house, Sadler's Wells Theatre. The festival presents crews from every street corner of the globe, and has included highly influential artists like the Electric Boogaloos, Korean B-Boy champions Project Soul and Canada's own Rubberbandance Group. The artistic director and host of Breakin' Convention is pioneering hip hop theatre artist Jonzi D. The Sony Centre will host Canada's first Breakin' Convention on May 7, 2011.

Musical Performances
The 2010-2011 season boasts a full spectrum of musical offerings beginning on October 21 with the incomparable Liza Minnelli in concert with her quartet, accompanied by Billy Stritch and the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.

The holiday season celebrations kick-off on November 24 with the extraordinary step-dancing, fiddle-playing, song-singing Leahy family performing an array of Christmas music from sacred hymns to fiery Celtic tunes and best-loved carols in A Leahy Family Christmas. The Canadian Tenors, four charismatic singers who have been thrilling millions of music lovers with their eclectic blend of classical and contemporary pop since 2007, make their Sony Centre debut December 2 performing The Canadian Tenors & Friends: A Christmas To Remember.

Kodo Drummers of Japan combine the power, precision and excitement of traditional Japanese drumming with fresh dance, song and instrumental interpretations to create a dazzling display of astounding speed, dexterity, and muscular endurance. They will perform at the Sony Centre on March 11.

Hailed by critics and fans alike as the most authentic and endearing Beatles tribute in the world, "1964"...The Tribute make their Sony Centre debut on March 24 recreating an early 60's live Beatles concert complete with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and onstage banter with astounding accuracy.

International Dance Stars
Celebrating the wealth and diversity of dance around the globe, the 2010-2011 season showcases outstanding dance artists from China, Poland, Russia, Germany, the Philippines and North America. The acclaimed Beijing Friendship Dance Company, one of the oldest performance troupes in China, blends classical ballet and traditional Chinese dance in its lavish full-length dance drama Dream of the Red Chamber on October 12 and 13. On November 1, the Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company celebrates the sumptuous music and energetic dance traditions of the Philippines inspired by the country's diverse indigenous, Chinese, Spanish and Islamic influences. Founded in 1957, Bayanihan was the first Filipino group to perform on Broadway and in Russia, as well as the first non-American company to dance at New York's Lincoln Center. Mazowsze - Music and Dance of Poland returns to the Sony Centre on November 20 with their glorious authentic costumes, stirring Polish folk music, and dazzling choreographic display. Following triumphs in New York, Paris, Cannes, Panama, Bucharest and Moscow, Stars of the 21st Century assembles the world's most accomplished classical and contemporary dance stars for this spectacular international dance gala on October 14. Artists from the American Ballet Theater, Berlin Opera Ballet, Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet, The Royal Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada perform an exciting and diverse program ranging from the great classics of the 19th century to the best contemporary dance of the 21st century.

Family Fun

Franklin the Turtle returns to the stage on October 23 with a brand new live musical theatre production, Franklin and the Adventures of the Noble Knights. This action-packed live show features original songs, spectacular costumes, and thrilling effects including a fire-breathing dragon, two riddle-loving gargoyles, and a wild-winged beast.

On December 4, Caillou - friend to millions of preschoolers worldwide - takes a fun romp through a winter wonderland in Caillou's Greatest Skate of All. Inspired by some of Canada's most iconic pastimes including hockey and ice skating, this charming live theatre production is filled with original sing-a-long songs, thrilling rollerblade displays and lots of audience participation.

The Sony Centre presents two groundbreaking animated productions that introduce children of all ages to the world's great classical music performed live by the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony.

Barbie^TM at the Symphony, which will be presented November 26 and 27, combines the best Barbie^TM "Princess" movies with the world's most loved classical music scores. This series of CGI animated films features Barbie^TM singing and dancing to ballet sequences choreographed by Peter Martins of the renowned New York City Ballet. Released in over 30 languages, these popular films have introduced millions of children to ballets such as The Nutcracker and Swan Lake and the timeless music to which they are set.

Warner Bros. presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony conducted by George Daugherty is a spectacular fusion of classic Warner Bros. cartoons projected on the big screen, accompanied by their exhilarating original Carl Stalling scores played LIVE by the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony on April 9. Celebrating 20 years of Bugs Bunny on the concert stage, this brand new anniversary concert of Looney Tunes and live orchestra includes the show-stopping cartoons "What's Opera, Doc?" and "The Rabbit of Seville" - two Looney Tunes classics that top virtually every published list of "The World's Funniest Cartoons" anywhere - and "Shake Your Powderpuff", the first-ever Looney Tune which parodied the symphony orchestra world and laid the ground work for decades of classical music spoofs to come. The concert also features classics like Tweety and Sylvester's "Tweet and Lovely" and Pepe Le Pew in "A Scent of The Matterhorn", plus special guests Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Tom and Jerry, Porky Pig, The Flintstones, The Jetsons, and Scooby-Doo.

2010-2011 season schedule at a glance

iD: October 1 at 6:30 pm, October 2, 7, 8, 9, 2010 at 8 pm and October 3, 2010 at 2 pm
Dream of the Red Chamber: October 12 and 13, 2010 at 8 pm
Stars of the 21st Century: October 14, 2010 at 8 pm
Liza Minnelli: October 21, 2010 at 8 pm
Franklin and the Adventures of the Noble Knights: October 23, 2010 at 1 pm
Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company: November 1, 2010 at 8 pm
The Merchants of Bollywood: November 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 2010 at 8 pm and November 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 2010 at 2 pm
Eonnagata: November 18 and 19, 2010 at 8 pm
Mazowsze- Music and Dance of Poland: November 20, 2010 at 8 pm
A Leahy Family Christmas: November 24, 2010 at 7:30 pm
BarbieTM at the Symphony: November 26, 2010 at 7 pm and November 27, 2010 at 1 pm
Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY: November 27, 2010 at 8 pm

The Canadian Tenors & Friends: A Christmas To Remember: December 2, 2010 at 8 pm
Caillou's Greatest Skate of All: December 4, 2010 at 1 pm
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical: December 17, 2010 to January 2, 2011
Mariinsky (Kirov) Ballet Swan Lake: March 1 to 5, 2011 at 8 pm and March 5, 6, 2011 at 2 pm
Kodo Drummers of Japan: March 11, 2011 at 8 pm
"1964"...The Tribute: March 24, 2011 at 8 pm
Warner Bros. presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony: April 9, 2011 at 2 pm and 7 pm
Breakin' Convention: May 7, 2011 at 8 pm

Single tickets and packages go on sale Saturday, April 17th at 9 am, and may be purchased by calling 416-872-2262 or on-line at www.sonycentre.ca. Single ticket prices start at $15, packages start at $80. Patrons between the ages of 19 and 30 can join the Sony Centre's Under-30 Rush Club and purchase tickets for $15. Sony Package benefits include priority seating, 20% savings off single ticket prices, flexible ticket exchange, and discounts to restaurants and retailers. New this year, package purchasers who order by June 30, 2010 can take advantage of a convenient no-fee three-installment payment option.

For more information visit www.sonycentre.ca . For Group Sales call 416-393-7463 or 1-866-737-0805, or visit www.sonycentre.ca/groups .

Sony Centre For The Performing Arts is currently in the first phase of its three-part renovation which focuses on the interior of the venue and will be completed in September 2010. Phase Two begins in 2011 with the construction of the new permanent backstage facilities and the L Tower, a 57-story residential tower designed by Daniel Libeskind. Phase Three encompasses the external cityscape design and public plaza and is scheduled to begin upon the tower's completion.

The Sony Centre For The Performing Arts thanks its sponsors:

2010-2011 Sony Centre Season Built by: LOWE'S HOME IMPROVEMENT WAREHOUSE

Innovation Sponsors: INTROTEL and MITEL

Preferred Hotel: ONE KING WEST HOTEL & RESIDENCE

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